How to Repurpose an Old Wooden Bread Box as a Unique Jewelry Box

Today’s project is a throwback to 2013… one of my FIRST repurposed jewelry cabinet makeovers that actually wasn’t even a jewelry cabinet! This one started its life as an old wooden bread box from the thrift store!

Sorry for the small, blurry photos. This was way back before I even had an iPhone. I think I took these on my old point-and-shoot camera. It’s amazing how much technology has improved since 2013!

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What is a Bread Box

Before we get started, I realize that some of you younger ones may be asking, “What exactly IS a bread box?” or “What is the purpose a bread box?”, or “Do bread boxes really keep bread fresher?”

A breadbox is a container used to store bread and other baked goods. It can be made of wood, pottery, or metal. These boxes or bins were much more common before most breads were baked commercially. Commercially baked bread is sold in plastic and uses ingredients to make it last longer.

Breadboxes have three things going for them:

1. Bread is stored at room temperature.
2. The lid is loose enough to allow air movement, which prevents condensation and mold.
3. The lid is tight enough to slow the drying process and to protect from rodents or insects.

Personally, we don’t eat much bread at our house so we don’t need a bread box. But I do have LOTS of jewelry! So any breadboxes I find at thrift stores in the future may also be turned into jewelry boxes!

Supplies for My Painted Bread Box Makeover

• Turquoise Bay paint from Ace Hardware
• plaster of Paris
• Express Finish in Walnut from Minwax
• paintbrushes
• old rag
• sandpaper
• crystal knob
• hardware cloth
• stapler
• small cup hooks

Turning a Vintage Bread Box into a Jewelry Box

When I found this lovely bread box on a Goodwill shelf it was sitting on its side.  I got excited and thought I found another jewelry cabinet.  So it was a little disappointing when I realized it was only an old vintage bread box.  But my imagination had already seen it as a jewelry cabinet so I bought it anyway.

Here it is along with the rest of my thrift store haul that day:

Step One: Clean

This breadbox wasn’t very dirty at all. I just wiped it down with some spray cleaner and a rag.

Step Two: Paint

I used my homemade chalk paint for this project. Personally, it’s not my favorite for pieces of furniture but it works ok for something that won’t get a lot of wear. I’ve had better luck with brand name chalk and mineral paints such as Shabby Paints. They have a similar color that I love — So Serene.

Step Three: Sand

I didn’t want to distress this wood box too much so I just took a little paint off the corners with a piece of 150-grit sandpaper.

Step Four: Stain

I thinned my walnut stain with a little water, brushed it on, and wiped it off with an old rag.

Step Five: Add Hardware

Since this was originally a breadbox and NOT a jewelry box I needed to add some way to store and display jewelry. I decided to add tiny cup hooks inside the door and staple hardware cloth on the back wall to hold earrings.

Again… sorry for the tiny photos!

Take a look at the before and after photo!  What a difference a little paint makes!

Now that you’ve seen this makeover, what do you think? Are you going to look for a retro bread box to paint? Make sure you drop me a note and show me how it turns out!

More Thrift Store Jewelry Cabinet Makeovers

So what do you think of my repurposed jewelry cabinet?  If you like it, here are a few more jewelry cabinets I’ve painted:

• Jewelry Cabinet with Folding Door
• Pink Jewelry Cabinet
• Jewelry Cabinet in Coral
• Thrift Store Makeover | Jewelry Cabinet in Gray

‘Til the next project,

 Ann @ Duct Tape and Denim

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First published March 12, 2013.  Featured on: Party in Your PJs #38, Princess Pinky Girl’s Great Home Organization Ideas